UK inflation slid to 2.6% in June from 2.8% in May, spurred by reduced petrol prices.

UK policymakers link the decline to potential cost-of-living relief for policies tied to inflation.

The South African rand stayed unchanged ahead of its own inflation data release.

In Australia, Reserve Bank observers point out inflation data is key for guiding interest rate expectations.

Traders in South Africa await the release of key economic figures after this week's volatility in the rand.